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Firestick cactus, or Euphorbia tirucalli 'Rosea,' is also known as sticks of fire, sticks on fire or pencil tree. Often referred to as a cactus, the plant is actually a succulent that presents new growth with flare. Young stems are fiery orange to red and turn green with age. Hardy only in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant zones 9 through 11, this sun-worshiper doesn’t tolerate so much as a hint of freezing weather. Lovers of this plant often describe its willingness to propagate by cuttings by pointing out that if you don’t clean up fallen branches, they’ll simply root themselves. The best time to propagate this plant is during the spring.

Look for a healthy, unblemished young branch on an attractive firestick cactus to take your stem cutting from in the spring before new growth begins. The cutting will grow into an exact duplicate of the parent plant, so pick one that you like. Choose a healthy young red, pink or very light green stem with unblemished reddish or pinkish pencil-like appendages. The redder the stem and appendages are, the younger the new growth is. You need a stem about 6 to 8 inches long.

Make a clean cut right at the branching point that joins your stem to a larger branch with a clean, sharp knife or razor blade.

Soak the cut end of the stem in a plastic disposable container of cold water to stop the flow of sticky white sap. Spray the wound on the parent plant with the garden hose until it stops bleeding sap.

Pat the cutting dry with paper towels. Place it on a dry paper towel in a dry, warm, well-ventilated room out of direct sunlight for three to seven days to dry and form a callus over the cut end. This will help prevent the stem from rotting.

Plant the cutting 3 inches deep in a 6-inch pot of cactus mix. Firm the soil gently around the stem. Add a 1/2-inch layer of gravel or very small stones on top of the potting medium to help steady the cutting and keep it from tilting.

Place the firestick in a brightly lit, warm location near a window but out of direct sunlight. Keep the temperature between 70 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. A heating mat keeps the soil temperature at the optimum 86 degrees. The succulent should root in four to eight weeks when new growth will begin to emerge.

Water the plant thoroughly when you see new growth. The soil should be evenly moist but not soggy or wet. Move it to a sunny window in a warm, well-ventilated area to acclimate it to direct sun for a week or two.

Plant the firestick outdoors after soil temperature rises above 65 degrees. Choose a well-draining spot where the plant will receive at least six hours of direct sun each day. Protect it from frost.

Water the plant enough to evenly moisten the surface of the soil about once weekly when it feels dry to your touch throughout its first growing season. Let it dry out completely before watering again. Water no more than once every other week through the winter. Don’t allow firestick cactus to have wet feet.

Fertilize this plant with a balanced 20-20-20 cactus mix every other week throughout the spring and summer. Don’t feed it during fall and winter.

Things You Will Need

Clean, sharp knife or razor blade

Plastic disposable container

Paper towels

6-inch pot

Cactus mix

Gravel or very small stones

20-20-20 cactus mix

Rubbing alcohol

Heavy gloves, long pants, long sleeves, eye protection

Tip

Remove firestick cactus sap from your skin with rubbing alcohol. Trying to wash it off with water will only spread the sap’s irritation further.

Warning

Dress defensively to protect yourself from toxic white sap when you cut stems from firestick cactus. Wear heavy gloves, long pants and sleeves and protective eyewear.

Keep pets and small children away from firestick cactus and any cuttings you take from the plant.

About the Author

A full-time writer since 2007, Axl J. Amistaadt is a DMS 2013 Outstanding Contributor Award recipient. He publishes online articles with major focus on pets, wildlife, gardening and fitness. He also covers parenting, juvenile science experiments, cooking and alternative/home remedies. Amistaadt has written book reviews for Work At Home Truth.